13. Supernova surprise
Pitfall explanation
A good rule of thumb for snapshots might be whatever you're shooting is what should stand out in the photo -- not the big flash reflection, not the obtrusive white object in the foreground, and in this case, not the light from the big ol' lamp on the side. I love the decorations, and this is the kind of shot that would be great as part of a historical record of your trees as time goes on. Given all the other lit-up objects in the scene, the photographer probably either didn't have or didn't want to use flash -- in which case using the TV for illumination was genius -- but I'd have gone with a darker photo and all the bright lights out of the frame.
Can this photo be saved?
Maybe, with some tedious masking. The light is too intrusive for a quick crop.
How can I avoid this problem?
Tip 1: Turn the light off or move the lamp. This solution assumes that the light is in the scene by accident and that it's not being used as additional illumination for the shot. It falls under the heading issues you should be watching for when you're shooting.
Tip 2: Move the lamp and bump up your ISO speed. By increasing the light sensitivity to ISO 200 or higher -- with a digital camera that has good high-ISO image quality -- you'd be able to get a similar exposure without the intrusive lamp.
Which cameras handle these scenes best?
What it takes: A camera that delivers good low-light features and photos and that has a moderate zoom lens.
Suggested models:
Pitfall explanation
A good rule of thumb for snapshots might be whatever you're shooting is what should stand out in the photo -- not the big flash reflection, not the obtrusive white object in the foreground, and in this case, not the light from the big ol' lamp on the side. I love the decorations, and this is the kind of shot that would be great as part of a historical record of your trees as time goes on. Given all the other lit-up objects in the scene, the photographer probably either didn't have or didn't want to use flash -- in which case using the TV for illumination was genius -- but I'd have gone with a darker photo and all the bright lights out of the frame.
Can this photo be saved?
Maybe, with some tedious masking. The light is too intrusive for a quick crop.
How can I avoid this problem?
Tip 1: Turn the light off or move the lamp. This solution assumes that the light is in the scene by accident and that it's not being used as additional illumination for the shot. It falls under the heading issues you should be watching for when you're shooting.
Tip 2: Move the lamp and bump up your ISO speed. By increasing the light sensitivity to ISO 200 or higher -- with a digital camera that has good high-ISO image quality -- you'd be able to get a similar exposure without the intrusive lamp.
Which cameras handle these scenes best?
What it takes: A camera that delivers good low-light features and photos and that has a moderate zoom lens.
Suggested models:
 Fujifilm FinePix F10 Read review |
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Sergei Plishka
11/02/2006 01:21 PM
If you do notice a reflective surface in the background, simply take the shot at an angle to the surface so that flash reflects away from the camera instead of right back at it.
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